Researchers found a new variant of Pirlames Trojan that deletes important files, and warns users not to exchange files through Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networking. The trojan deletes all files with a .exe, .bat, .cmd, .ini, .asp, .htm, .html, .php, .class, .java, .dbx, .eml, .mbx, .tbb, .wav, .hlp, .txt, .mp3, .xls, .log en .bmp extension it finds to be on a machine.
The files are replaced by a picture with a similar name, ending in .bmp. In the text you find a question why the user does not stop using P2P. “This trojan is extremely dangerous. The trojan infects Windows computers and overwrites files, so this can ruin the OS” according to AV-vendor Sophos. Who is responsible for this worm is not known so far: http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/trojpirlamesc.html
Nowadays, P2P is being even more dangerous.
Not only spam files are ‘released’ to the nets but also companies release virus and infected ones.
A good antivirus, PeerGuardian, and never run or open a file without cautious: antitrojan and antispyware scanning before.
Even this way… it’s not safe…
I agree with you, and I think this is a further way of demotivation. P2P equals a form of Malware Russian Roulette nowadays, with the silent blessings of the Propriety Industry of course.
First they manouvred “reverse-engineering” into an illegit corner, killing creativity and innovation in the meantime, now certain file-exchange has come under fire, wherein the USA is the central pivot and frontrunner of restrictive policies. The more you learn about the legal implications, the more you should value FFOS.